Deadline extended: Your opinion matters! Comment on Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund draft grant scoring criteria

News Article
Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) committee and staff seek input and comments on the grant scoring criteria; comment period open until June 26.
Published

The PCEF Committee and staff seek input and comment on the grant scoring criteria prior to the release of the request for proposals (RFP) for the first $8 million of funding for green jobs, healthy homes, and community energy projects, among others. This is a critical milestone in the implementation of this historic initiative, created and led by communities of color. 

The public comment period for the draft scoring criteria will be open through Friday, June 26 at 11:59 p.m. The PCEF Committee and staff welcome your feedback. 

How to share your opinion  

  • Email: Send an email to cleanenergyfund@portlandoregon.gov. If you cannot take the online survey please send your feedback via email. 

  • Phone: Leave a comment with PCEF staff or a message at 503-823-7713

  • Join a webinar: These virtual meetings are offered by PCEF staff to share background information and answer questions regarding the public comment period on grant eligibility and scoring criteria. Please join us at an online webinar: 

  • Co-host a webinar: If you represent a frontline community and are interested in co-hosting an information session, let us know. Staff can provide event coordination support, interpretation, and other needs to ensure your community has a trusted space to provide feedback on the draft grant scoring criteria. Email cleanenergyfund@portlandoregon.gov if you’re interested. 

How will my input be used? 

The PCEF Committee and staff will read public comments and use them to suggest changes to the draft scoring criteria. The goal is to approve final grant scoring criteria by the July 8 PCEF Committee meeting so that we can release the RFP on August 3.

Why is the scoring criteria important? 

Grant applications will be scored according to a set of standard criteria developed by the PCEF Committee with staff support. Applications that best meet the grant criteria will be given preference in funding. Standardized criteria ensure that funding decisions are accountable to program goals, such as serving low-income people and communities of color. They also promote a fair and transparent review process and can be used as a guideline by nonprofits in completing their applications or assessing whether the grant is a good opportunity for them. 

What happens next? 

Key dates for PCEF grant program are below and detailed more in this article (please note that dates are approximate and subject to change, though we do not anticipate significant shifts).  

  • Public comment period on grant eligibility and scoring criteria: June 2-26, 2020  

  • Grant solicitation release: Aug. 10, 2020  

  • Application due date: Oct. 9, 2020  

  • Grant awards announcement: Dec. 2020 or Jan. 2021 

Contact

Portland Clean Energy Fund